Australia’s Catholic Bishops have welcomed the Federal Government’s decision to provide an additional $42.8 million to extend the National School Chaplaincy Program (NSCP) for all participating schools until December 2011.
By Anthony Barich
National Reporter
Australia’s Catholic Bishops have welcomed the Federal Government’s decision to provide an additional $42.8 million to extend the National School Chaplaincy Program (NSCP) for all participating schools until December 2011.
During 2010 the Government will also be examining options for the future through a “broad and detailed” consultation process, including with the National Catholic Education Commission who will dialogue with the Government on behalf of the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference.
Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, raised a Catholic and reportedly a “big fan” of school chaplains in providing support to children, announced the decision on November 21 at the annual Australian Christian Lobby (ACL) national conference in Canberra.
While the previous Federal Government, led by a Liberal-National Party Coalition, initiated funding of the NSCP, making AUS$165 million available over three years to Australian schools to assist with chaplaincy services, local chaplaincy bodies were unsure as to whether the Labor-led Government, elected in May 2007, would renew it.
Under the 2007 deal, school communities were eligible to apply for up to $20,000 a year to establish school chaplaincy services, or to expand existing chaplaincy services. This was available to both State and private schools, including Catholic institutions.
Port Pirie Bishop Greg O’Kelly SJ, Chairman of the Bishops’ Commission for Catholic Education, said he was “particularly pleased” that the Federal Government had appeared to change its mind on the value of school chaplaincy.
“The Federal Government was obviously impressed by the positive accounts given to them, especially by State schools; so clearly the government, which perhaps previously has not been supportive of the program, has modified its view and wants to develop chaplaincy programs, and has in the meantime decided to continue funding them,” Bishop O’Kelly said. “It’s very positive, as young people in both State and Catholic schools have issues that they’re clarifying and coming to terms with.
“They have conflicts that they need to talk to someone about who’s not a teacher – somebody who’s compassionate and objective, supportive and not judgemental. Bishop O’Kelly said that “if a child is concerned about being pressured by peers into taking drugs, has conflict in the home or with bullies, those issues transcend denominations”.
ACL managing director Jim Wallace urged the government’s inquiry to reinforce the need for funding of the school chaplaincy program to be continued and extended and to consider whether there would be merit in developing a chaplaincy program to assist groups at high risk of suicide in the wider community.
Bishop O’Kelly said that there is confusion over the terminology of the word ‘chaplains’.
“The word ‘chaplain’ is really the wrong title for such a job, as a chaplain is a senior spiritual person,” he said.
“These are more like counsellors or youth ministers. There is a confusion of terminology.”
Stanley Jayaraj, National School Chaplaincy Association convenor and YouthCARE chief executive, said the greater funding gives certainty to over 2,500 government and non-government schools across the country which presently access the service.
“By extending funding for the program, the Prime Minister recognises the long term value and contribution of this program where school chaplains offer pastoral care to school communities across the country,” Mr Jayaraj said.
Prime Minister Kevin Rudd recently stated in Parliament that “chaplains do a fantastic job and in many school communities … they are actually providing the glue which keeps school communities going”, an NSCA statement said.
Mr Jeyaraj said that the NSCA member organisations were looking forward to a constructive dialogue with the Australian Government over the next two years as the Prime Minister expressed a desire to see the program expanded to meet the greater needs of the disadvantaged and those in rural and regional communities.
Since 2007, State Schools Chaplaincy services provided by the NSCA has expanded from 650 schools to over 1,650 schools throughout the country.
The National School Chaplaincy Association (NSCA) is represented by ACCESS Ministries (Victoria), Schools Ministry Group (SA), GenR8 Ministries (NSW), Scripture Union (ACT, Queensland, Tasmania) and YouthCARE (WA).